FIESTAS

Spain is well known for its fiestas, over the years, local traditions have turned into internationally renowned popular festivals. There is no village or city in Spain that does not have its own fiesta or celebration. If you travel to Spain probably you will coincide by chance in any of them. There are specific dates that coincide in most places that there are festivities: Carnival, Easter, summer, early December and Christmas.

Due to the Catholic tradition, most festivities in Spain have a religious origin. Special mention should be made to the Holy Week. In all regions you will find masses and processions for several days, in addition this you will also be able to find various events and activities.

The cities that Holy Week has been declared a Festivity of International Tourist Interest are:

ANDALUSIA

CARRERAS DE CABALLOS DE SANLÚCAR (SANLÚCAR HORSE RACING)

Municipality: Sanlúcar de Barrameda Province: CádizDate: August

This is an English-style equestrian competition with more than 200 horses competing by the seashore. These races are held on the beach of Sanlúcar de Barrameda. The start time of the competition is subject to the tide, as this occurs when there is low tide. Hundreds of people stick together to see this wonderful postcard that if it is accompanied with the sunset, becomes one of the most beautiful pictures of the andalusian dusk.

FERIA DE ABRIL (APRIL FAIR)

Municipality: Seville Province: SevilleDate: 2 weeks after Easter

In the district of Los Remedios are assembled hundreds of marquees where groups of friends of Seville and their guests meet to listen and dance "Sevillanas" (Andalusian dance and type of song) throughout the day. Dressed in traditional andalusian costumes spend hours talking and laughing while tasting the typical products of the region and drink a glass of "fino" (type of dried sherry). There are few marquees with public access; most of them are for members or by invitation. Still ,on the streets of the Fair can also be experienced the atmosphere. You can stroll and enjoy the dances as well as see the majestic horses and horse carts.

CARNIVAL OF CÁDIZ

For several days you will find in the city of Cadiz the streets full of fun and joy and local people singing the typical “chirigotas”. These are a type of song with funny lyrics often on topical issues such as political or gossips magazines. Each year it is held a competition for the best chirigota. If you go, do not forget that it is obligatory to be dressed up.

FIESTAS DE LOS PATIOS CORDOBESES (FESTIVAL OF THE PATIOS OF CÓRDOBA)

Municipality: Cordoba Province: CordobaDate: second or third weekend in May

During these festivities the patios of the houses of the old town of Cordoba are open to the public. Grilles, balconies and patios are decorated with pots of geraniums, carnations and jasmine to finally compete for the prettiest. Residents show their patios while listening to flamenco and offer the traditional tapas.

FERIA DEL CABALLO ( HORSE FAIR)

Its origin dates back to 1284 when it was a cattle market. Its evolution has turned it into an amazing parade of specimens of thoroughbred horses as well as contests and competitions. During the days of the fair all kinds of activities related to horses are taking place and the park "Gonzalez Hontoria" is full of hundreds of horse specimens. We also find stalls which have a different theme each year. In them you can taste wine, eat typical products and dance “Sevillanas”. Every day there are events, activities, fairs and all sort of offer to enjoy late into the night.

ARAGÓN

FIESTAS DEL PILAR

Municipality: Zaragoza Province: Zaragoza Date: week of 12th October

The feast of the Virgen del Pilar is the most important celebration in Zaragoza. For several days you can enjoy a variety of activities: theater, concerts, children's activities, dancing, bull fighting, music festivals and more. The big day is the 12th when a parade of people dressed in regional costumes will make an offering of flowers to the patron saint of Aragón and Spain in “La Plaza del Pilar”square.

ASTURIAS

DESCENSO DEL RÍO SELLA (DESCENT OF THE RIVER SELLA)

Municipality: From Arriondas to RibadasellaDate: first Saturday in August.

Thousands of professional canoeists from around the world come every year to Asturias to make the descent of the river Sella. The route consist of 20 Kms and goes from the beginning in the village of Arriondas to the finish in Ribadasella bridges. Once the winner crosses the finish line the party will continues in Los Campos de Oda where prizes will be given and also will follow a meal with cider, singing, dancing and joy. If you want to continue until late at night, the party continues in Ribadasella.

BASQUE COUNTRY

LA TAMBORRADA

Municipality: San Sebastián Province: GuipúzcuaDate: 20 January

The
festival begins at 00:00 on 20th when the tamborrada Gaztelubide (group
of drum players) raise the flag in La Plaza de la Constitución. The
next day hundreds of people playing the drum pass through all
neighborhoods of the city accompanied by orchestras. It can be
distinguished between the child and the adult Tamborrada. These latter
may be formed only by men or women or mixed. The festival ends at 24:00
pm when a Tamborrada is responsible for lowering the flag.

BILBAO BIG WEEK

Municipality: BilbaoProvince: VizcayaDate: Saturday after 15 August

For
nine days the streets of Bilbao are filled with groups of music and
acts. The fiestas start at Plaza del Teatro Arriaga with the launch of
“txupin” rocket and reading of the opening speech. From this moment
every day you can enjoy of concerts, plays in the streets, fireworks and
parades of cabezudos (bigheaded figures).

BALEARIC ISLANDS

FIESTA DE SAN SEBASTIÁN (ST. STEBAN FESTIVITY)

Municipality: Palma de Mallorca Island: MallorcaDate: 20 January

On this day it is celebrated the patron saint of Palma de Mallorca. For
several days take place in the city: concerts, bonfires, fireworks,
festivals and gastronomic tasting. On the other side, in Muro and
Soller, 4 days before, takes place the festival of “Foguer” where local
people dance around a bonfire all night long.

SAN JUAN

Municipality: Ciudadela Island: MenorcaDate: 23 and 24 June

The party begins on 23rd at 14:00 when "fablioler" requests permission
to begin the withdrawal of horses. Ciudadela streets, crowded of people,
are filled with horses circling around and rearing up on their hind
legs. The bravest people dare to touch the horse's back. The next day is
celebrated an equestrian exhibition with games and after this the
closing of the festival.

CANARY ISLANDS,THE

CARNIVAL OF SANTA CRUZ

Municipality Santa Cruz de Tenerife Island: TenerifeDATE: February or March, depending on the year.

This carnival was the first one in Spain and is the most important worldwide after the carnival of Rio de Janeiro.During
a week, thousands of people fill the streets of the city for the sole
purpose of having fun. They dance to the sound of all kinds of music
from Caribbean to techno style music. Every day there are parades where
groups of people compete between each other for the best costume. One of
the most important events is the election of the Queen of Carnival
between all the beauties.

CANTABRIA

SEMANA GRANDE DE SANTANDER (BIG WEEK OF SANTANDER)

Municipality: SantanderDate: Week of July 25

It is the most important festival in the city of Santander and you will find bullfighting, concerts, marquees, fireworks and much more. Also during these days takes place a food fair where you can enjoy the best "tapas".

CASTILE-LA MANCHA

ALBACETE FAIR

Municipality: Albacete Province: AlbaceteDate: 7-17 September

For ten days marquees are assembled in Albacete Trade Fair where you can taste typical products of Albacete, buy handicrafts, toys, clothes and much more. Also, you will find attractions for children. At the same time you can enjoy concerts, parades, bullfighting and sporting events. In this fair, always full of people, you will have fun any time of day.

LA ENDIABLADA

A group of men and boys (devils), wearing a cylindrical hat decorated with floral prints and flowery clothes, walk and dance through the streets of the village for several days. These are led by the "Diablo Mayor" (Mayor Devil), group’s oldest person, who is dressed in red to differentiate from the others. From their waists a bell hangs that produces a deafening noise.

CORPUS CHRISTI

It is a religious procession that takes place on the day of Corpus Christi and is presided by the Primate Cardinal of Spain. The streets of Toledo are decorated with canopies, wreaths and lights and the floors with aromatic herbs just for the procession. The manor houses and palaces open their doors in order to allow people to admire their yards. During these days you can also enjoy other events like concerts, shows and sporting events.

CASTILE-LEON

FEAST OF SAN FROILÁN

Municipality: LeonProvince: LeonDate: 05 October

For 5 days the city of Leon celebrates the feast of San Froilán. You can enjoy a medieval market, competitions and parades of “carros engalanados” (decorated horse-carriage) and “Pendones Leoneses” (historical flags). On day 5 takes place the San Froilán pilgrimage to the Virgen del Camino. Hundreds of people accompany this procession to finally pull the nose to the Saint as tradition says. Besides all this you can enjoy concerts, gastronomic tasting, dances, celebrations and activities for children.

VIRGEN DE LA VEGA FAIR

Municipality: SalamancaProvince: SalamancaDate: 08 September

In this fair you can enjoy a diverse program with parades, concerts, festivals, theaters, medieval markets, games, sports and spectacular bullfighting. You can’t miss the best bullfighters and cattle during these days in Salamanca.

CATALONIA

DÍA DE SANT JORDI (ST. JORDI DAY)

Municipality: BarcelonaProvince: BarcelonaDate: 23 April

Sant Jordi is the patron saint of Catalonia. The neighborhoods of the city and Las Ramblas are filled with stalls of books and flowers. The tradition says that it should be given away a rose to women and a book to men. This festival would be like a Valentines Day.

FIESTAS DE LA MERCÉ (LA MERCÉ FESTIVAL)

Municipality: BarcelonaProvince: BarcelonaDate: 24 September

This day is celebrated as it is the patron saint of Barcelona. For several days there are various events and concerts in different parts of the city. You can also find street parades, dances of "Sardana" (typical Catalan dance) and sports competitions.

LA PATUM

Municipality: BergaProvince: BarcelonaDate: Wednesday of Corpus

This festivity was declared by UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The celebration consists of the dancing to the sound of drums and music of mystical and symbolic figures. The festivities last for five days and you can also enjoy a children's Patum.

EXTREMADURA

THEATRE FESTIVAL IN MÉRIDA

Municipality: MéridaProvince: MéridaDate: July and August

This Classical Theatre festival is the oldest in Spain and largest in the world. For two months you can see theatrical performances in the Amphitheatre and the Roman Theatre in Mérida. The Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993.

GALICIA

FIESTA DEL MARISCO (FIESTA IN HONOUR OF SEAFOOD)

Municipality: O Grove Province: PontevedraDate: October

If you love seafood this is your festival. For several days, all kinds of activities related to this are held in this town. You can also taste the best seafood of Spain with all its freshness in the booths that are set up for these days.

FIESTAS DE SANTIAGO APOSTOL (FIESTA IN HONOUR OF SAINT JAMES THE APOSTLE)

St. James is the patron saint of Spain and Galicia. The discovery of the tomb of the Apostle led Santiago de Compostela to become a holy city with Jerusalem and Rome and, also, as a result of this gave rise to the famous Way of St. James.During 10 days you can enjoy in the city all kinds of events, exhibitions, theater performances, concerts and more. During the night of 24th in Plaza del Obradoiro there are fireworks in honor of the Apostle and are accompanied by a great castle of pyrotechnics that simulates the Gothic façade of the Cathedral.

ROMERÍA VIKINGA (VIKING FESTIVAL)

Municipality: CatoiraProvince: PontevedraDate: First Sunday in August

This festival is an outdoor play; the attack of Vikings to the village by sea. Begins at 10 am with performances of folk groups and ends at night with the open-air dance. Throughout the day you can enjoy the wide variety of Galicia gastronomic products: mussels, sardine or tuna pie, wine, cooked octopus, etc.

INTERNATIONAL CELTIC FESTIVAL

Municipality: OrtigueiraProvince: La CoruñaDate: the second two weekends in July

It is one of the world's largest festivals of Celtic and folk music, attracts thousands of people and is free. Apart from the concerts, activities such as dance, photography and craft workshops are also organized.

RAPA DAS BESTAS

Municipality: SabucedoProvince: PontevedraDate: early July

This festival dates back to the XV century and its protagonist is the confrontation between man and horse. At dawn Sabucedo’s and surroundings areas young people will look for wild horses in the mountains. When they find them they will lead them to the village where they will cut their manes. Several men take the horse from different points in order to do this. The struggle between horse and man becomes a wonderful show. During this day you can also taste the typical local products.

LA RIOJA

BATLE OF WINE

Municipality: Haro Date: 29 June

In Haro is celebrated the day of San Pedro in a particular way; with a battle of wine. During a morning different groups of people take part of a peaceful battle of liters and liters of wine without a break.

VENDIMIA RIOJANA (GRAPE HARVEST FESTIVAL)

Municipality: LogroñoDate: 21 September

For a whole week Logroño celebrates the festivals of the Rioja Wine Harvest or also known as the Feast of San Mateo. The protagonists of these festivities are the wine and grapes. Stands out among the events the act in which men dressed in regional costumes tread the grapes to make the first must and give it to the Virgin of Valvanera. You can enjoy these days of concerts, theater, music, bullfighting, and food tasting.

MADRID

SAN ISIDRO FAIR

City: MadridDate: Week of 15 May

The festivities of the capital of Spain are in honor of San Isidro who performed many miracles in the XII century. This day is celebrated in the streets of Madrid with concerts, festivals and traditional food tasting like stew, “callos” (tripes) or rosquillas (typical sweet). The venue where usually take place is Vistillas Park and La Padrera de San Isidro.

NAVARRE

SAN FERMIN

Municipality: PamplonaDate: 6 - 14 July

Thousands of people go to Pamplona each year to attend one of the most internationally famous festivals. Visitors are dressed in red and white traditional custom and each day are expectant of the running of the bulls. These consist of race in front of a herd of bulls through the streets of the Old Town up to the bullring. These celebrations are accompanied by cabezudos (bigheaded figures) parades in the morning, festivals, concerts and non-stop entertainment throughout the day.

REGION OF MURCIA

CANTE DE LAS MINAS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

Municipality: La Unión Date: Eleven days after the first Wednesday of August

Do
not miss the world's largest flamenco festival held in La Unión old
public market. There are three types of competition ("singing", "dancing
and" guitar playing ") where the youngest artists compete. You can also
enjoy performances by more established artists. During these days there
are other activities such as exhibitions, wine tastings, films,
madrugás flamencas, literary presentations, poetry readings and courses.

FIESTAS DE LA SANTÍSIMA VERA CRUZ

Municipality: Caravaca de la Cruz Date: 1- 5 May

This
fiesta commemorates the apparition of the Holy Cross in the ancient
fortress of the Moorish King Abu-Zayt, in the XIII century. There are
two important events during the fiestas: the parades of Moors and
Christians and the horses of the wine. The first refers to the battles
between Muslims and Christians during the Muslim invasions. The second
is a horse race up the hill to the castle of the town. Parades,
processions and fireworks and various events complete these fiestas.

ENTIERRO DE LA SARDINA (BURIAL OF THE SARDINE)

Municipality: MurciaDate: the week after Easter

This
festival symbolized the end of Carnival and the beginning of a period
of austerity. It is a carnival parade where people participating feign
the pain because a sardine will be buried. A giant sardine, stuck in a
coffin, presides a parade and in the end this will be burnt. From the
carriages of the parade toys are thrown to the observers. There also
marquees on the streets of Murcia where you will be able to find always
fun.

REGION OF VALENCIA

HOGUERAS DE SAN JUAN (SAN JUAN BONFIRES)

Municipality: Alicante Province: AlicanteDate: 20- 24 June

Alicante's
streets are filled with booths where you can taste typical dishes. On
the beach there are fireworks competitions and even in the old town a
medieval market. All neighborhoods are filled with giant figures
depicting scenes from different themes, usually being critical to
current issues. These figures go to competition and the one to win will
get rid of being burned at 24:00 on 23rd. Also in this magical night
people will go to ask for their wish at the beach. Every day you will
have guaranteed nightlife.

The
habanera comes from decades ago when Torrevieja sailors went to Cuba to
trade and from their stays there, they brought this marvelous and sweet
song.Since 1955 choirs from almost all parts of the world participate in this internationally renowned contest.

EL MISTERIO DE ELCHE (THE MISTERY OF ELCHE)

Municipality: ElcheProvince: AlicanteDate: 14 and 15 august

This representation has been declared by UNESCO a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.It
is a drama sung in ancient Valencian language and stems from medieval
roots. This represents the Dormition, Assumption and Coronation of the
Virgin Mary. It is the only lyric drama that occurs inside a church, the
Basilica of Santa Maria.

LAS FALLAS

Municipality: ValenciaProvince: ValenciaDate: 15- 19 March

The
city streets are full of giant figures that become real works of art.
These compete between each other and the one that wins escape from being
burned on the night of 19th. Besides these figures there are marquees
where you can taste typical dishes of Valencia and dancing until late.

LA TOMATINA

Municipality: BuñolProvince: ValenciaDate: Last Wednesday of August

Tourists
from all over world attend this world-famous festival every year. The
festival lasts several days but the big day is when there is a battle of
tomatoes in the town square. Before this, it is raised a ham on a pole
and young people compete to get it. When the winner manage to catch it
is when the battle begins. During the previous days you will find fun at
all hours of the day in an international atmosphere.

MOROS Y CRISTIANOS (MOORS AND CHRISTIANS)

Municipality: La Villajoyosa Province: AlicanteDate 24-31 July

This
is a very traditional kind of festival that takes place in several
towns in the province of Alicante. This feast commemorates the battles
that took place between Muslims and Christians during the Muslim
invasion. At these festivals, battles are simulated while also there are
complementary leisure activities for the duration thereof. The festival
of Moors and Christians in Villajoyosa is very important and differs to
the others as this represents a landing. With an antiquity of more than
250 years commemorate what happened in 1538, when the Barbary pirates
led by Zále-Arraez, tried to attack the city. These celebrations are in
honor of Santa Marta as she saw them and warned the population therefore
avoiding the attack.